Weather strip



J. S. BENSON WEATHER STRIP June 15, 1943.

Filed Dec. 2, 1940 2 Sheets-sheaf l June 15, 1943. 'J. 5. BENSON WEATHER STRIP Filed Dec. 2, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m6 m J WWW Patented June 15, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE WEATHER STRIP John S. Benson, Culver City, Calif.

Application December 2, 1940, Serial No. 368,204

5 Claims.

' This invention relates to a sealing device and relates more particularly to an automatic weather strip. A general object of this invention is to provide a simple, practical and very effective weather strip means or sealing means for doors, windows, etc.

Exterior doors, windows, etc. are usually hung or supported to have some clearance with their frames, sills, etc. to prevent binding due to swell ing, sagging and warping. In the case of poorly built structures and in instances of poor workmanship, this clearance is often excessive. The wind blows through such clearance spaces chilling the interior of the building and carrying in dust, snow, etc. and rain water often seeps under.

and around the windows and doors. Weather stripping is employed to reduce the leakage of wind, rain and snow but is not altogether satisfactory. Such weather stripping usually consists of a strip of rubber, fabric, or the like, secured to the door or window and intended to operate by contacting with the sill, frame, etc. The conventional forms of weather stripping soon lose their effectiveness and even when newly installed do not provide a full tight seal. in the case of doors and windows which open inwardly the conventional weather stripping carries water, snow, dust, etc; into the house or building when the door or window is opened.

An important object of this invention is to provide a weather strip which provides a tight effective mechanically actuated seal which precludes the possibility of wind, dust, snow, water, etc. from entering the building or residence.

Another object of this invention is to provide a weather strip which is automatically operated to form a complete tight seal during the final portion of the closing movement of the door or window and which automatically retracts during the first portion of opening movement of the door or window. The novel weather strip of the present invention is'entirely automatic in its operation, being operated when the door or window is closed and being retracted and freed from the frame or sill when the door or window is opened. The automatic operation of the weather strip provides for a tight complete seal between the door or window and its frame or sill and releases the sealing element of' the strip from the frame or sill during the start of the opening movement of the door or window, thus relieving the sealing element of the wear which otherwise would re suit from the mechanically actuated sealing element rubbing on the sill or frame.

. Another object of this invention is to provide Further,

an automatic weather strip of the character referred to which may be readily applied to various forms of doors and windows and which does not interfere with rugs, floor irregularities, or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic weather strip of the character referred to which may be formed and installed to compensate for a non-parallel relationship between the door or window and its sill or frame to provide a complete effective seal under such conditions. Y

' A further object of this invention is to provide an automatic weather strip of the character mentioned which is very inexpensive and easy to install. 7

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a typical door and building structure illustrating the novel weather strip of the invention in its operative condition. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of the weather strip and the adjacent parts. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the weather strip in its retracted position. Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view illustrating the manner in which the movable member seals with the cam. Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional View of the weather strip in the actuated position'and Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 6 with the weather strip in the retracted position.

The automatic weather strip of the present invention is suited for use in many situations and may be varied in proportions, design, etc. to adapt it for many classes of installations. In the following detailed description I will describe the typical form and application of the invention illustrated in the drawings, it being understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited or restricted to the specific details herein described.

In the drawings I have shown a typical door D hung or supported ina doorway defined by a suitable frame F. The'invention is not concerned with the details of the door D or the fram'e'F as these elementsmay be conventional. The particular frame F illustrated has a stop strip or stop S against which the door D engages when in the closed position. It will be assumed that the door D is an inwardly opening door and that it closes outwardly against the stop S. A suitable latch or lock L is provided to releasably retain the door D in the closed position. The threshold is shown equipped with a suitable sill I0, it being understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited for use with a sill.

The weather strip of the present invention may be said to comprise, generally, a strip member II attached to the door D, a hinged or swingable member I2 carried by the member II and equipped with a sealing part I3, and means I4 for controlling or operating the swingable member I2.

The member II serves as a support or mounting for the swingable member I2 and assists in shedding or deflecting the wind, water, etc. The member I I is intended to be secured to the door D or window along the edge which is to be sealed. As illustrated in the drawings the member II is an elongate element of substantially uniform shape or cross section throughout. The length of the member Il approximates the width of the door D, the opposite ends of the member being adjacent the vertical edges of the door. The supporting member II is arranged along the lower edge portion of the door D and is preferably firmly fixed to the door. It is preferred to mount or arrange the member II some distance above the lower edge of the door D as illustrated in the drawings. In the preferred form of the invention the member II is an integral or one-piece element of sheet metal or other generally rigid material. The member I I is formed to have a fiat generally vertical mounting or attaching part I4 a downwardly and outwardly sloping portion I5 and a roll or curl I6 along the lower edge of the portion l5. It is to be, understood that the part I4 the portion I5 and the curl It may each extend throughout the length of the member II. The partl l is adapted to lie flat against the outer face of the door D and is provided with spaced slots or openings for receiving attaching screws I! or the like. The portion I5 slopes outwardly and downwardly fromi the lower edge of the mounting part M The roll or curl I6 curves downwardly and'inwardly from the lower edge of the portion I5, then curls upwardly and rearwardly and then curves upwardly and forwardly. The roll or curl I6 is substantially cylindrical and is hollow or tubular. In accordance with the invention the edge I8 of the curl I6 is spaced from the under side of the sloping portion I5 providing the tubular or hollow curl with a mouth or entrance. In the particular construction illustrated the edge IB faces outwardly and slightly upwardly.. The inner or rear side of the curl I6 is spaced a substantial distance from the face of the door, D and the member II is usually mounted to have the curl I6 spaced some distance abovethe lower edge of the door. It is to be understood that the member II is sufliciently strong and rigid to maintain its shape under all conditions for use.

The member I2 is the active or movable element of the device being carried by the member I I to swing between a raised or retracted position and a lowered or active position where its sealing part I3 seals with the sill III. The member I2 isan elongate strip of sheet metal of rather heavy gauge or other material of substantial strength. In most installations the member I2 is of about the same length as the member I I. The main or major portion of the member I2 is straight and flat and the member is provided at its inner or upper edge with a roll or curl I9 which nests in the curl I6 of the member II.

The roll or curl I9 preferably extends throughout the length of the member I2 and is designed and proportioned to shiftably and swingably suspend the member I2 from the member II by turnably engaging in the roll I6. The curvature of the roll I9 is substantially cylindrical and the roll conforms generally to the exterior of the roll or curl IS. The curl I9 enters the mouth or entrance of the curl I6, that is, it passes between the edge I8 and the under side of the portion I5. An inturned lip 20 extends along the edge of the curl I9 and is adapted to cooperate with the edge It to limit movement or swinging of the member I2 and thus prevent displacement of the member from the member II. The roll or curl I9 curves upwardly and forwardly from the member I2 and then curves downwardly and forwardly so that when the member I2 is lapped or nested in the curl IS the member I2 has its upper part at the inner side ofthe member I I. The member I2 may be assembled on the member II by entering the curl I9 in one end of the curl I6 and then moving the members II and I2 with respect to one another in a longitudinal direction. In accordance with the invention the engagement of the curl I9 in the curl I6 permits bodily shifting of the member I2 with respect to the member II as Well as swinging of the member I2. As best illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings the curls I6 and Here formed and related so that the member I2 may bodily shift at either or both of its ends in; a generally vertical direction with respect to the member I I. The engaged or nested curls I6 and I9 constitute a loose or free hinge connectionbetween the members II and I2.

It will be observed that the' curls I6 and I9 are engaged one with the other in such a manner that fluid cannot pass or leak between the members. If desired a sealing element 9 of rubber or the like may be provided in the curl I6 to provide a positive seal between the members II and I2. The element 9 may be tubular and is engaged by the lip 26. Out-turned beads or flanges 8 may be provided on the opposite ends of the member I2. The flange 8 at the inner or hinge edge of the door D may seal directly with the frame or stops. The flange 8 at the free or outer edge of the door cooperates with the cam means I4 to be later described. The flanges 8 prevent rain water, etc. from running from the ends of the member I2 and assure effective seals at the ends of the member I2. The flan es 8 are not essential in every case.

The lower edge of the swingable strip member I2 is prepared or shaped to carry the sealing part I3. In the preferred construction illustrated a loop or curl 2| is formed on the lower edge of the member I2. The curl 2I curves downwardly and rearwardly and then upwardly and forwardly. The hinge curl I9 and the lower edge curl 2I are preferably integral parts of the member I2. In some installations it may be desirable or necessary to bevel off or slope the end of the member I2 at the free or outer edge of the door D so that the member does not interfere with or strike the frame F when the door isopened and closed.

The sealing part I3 is carried by the swingable member I2 to seal with the sill III', frame, floor,

or the like, as-the case may be. The sealing part I3. may be formed of rubber, a rubber composition, synthetic rubber, fabric and rubber, or like {material which is flexible and resilient and resistant to 'the elements. provided with the roll or curl 2| the sealing part Where the member I 2 is I3inay be in the nature of a flexible tube of rubberjor the'like, slid or sprung over the curl to enclose the same. The sealing part I3 is split .longitudinally so that it maybe readily arranged .the rigid curl 2| to beeifective in sealing with the sill III. In the application of the invention illustrated in the drawings the sealing part I3 serves to seal with the sloping surface 22 of the sill I0, it being understood that the part I3 may seal with any other surface below the door D.

The position of the member II and the width of the member I2 are such that the part I3 seals With the surface 22 when the member I2 is'swung downto a slightly inclined position such as shown ,li'i'g. 3. The clearance space C under the door D orbetween the door D and the sill III usually determines the location of the member I I. Where the clearance C is substantial the member II' is attached to the door D at a low position while if the clearance C is small the member II isarranged at a higher point. The swinging member I2 may be of standard width to adapt the device for practically all installations or may be made in a range of different widths.

The means I4 for moving or actuating the member I2 between its retracted position and its sealing position is a spring and cam means embodying a spring or springs which normally urge the member to its raised position and embodying a cam for swinging the member to its lowered sealing position. The spring element or elements for urging the member I2 to the retracted posi tion may be varied considerably. In the cone struction illustrated there are spaced blade springs or leaf springs 23 attached to the door D to act against the inner side of the member I 2. There may be a spring 23 adjacent each end of the weather strip assembly. The springs 23 are provided with fiat mounting parts 24 secured to the outer face of the door D by screws 25 or the. like. The springs 23 project forwardly from the lower edges of the mounting parts 24 and engage against the inner side of the member I2 to exert an upward force or pressure on the member. The springs 23 serve to normally urge the member I2 to its fully raised position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings where the stop lip 20 cooperates with the edge I8. The retracting springs 23 are yieldable to allow the member I2 to swing down to the sealing position shown in Fig. 3.

The spring element may further include retainers or guides 26 for acting on the curl I9. The guides 25 project from the upper edges of the mounting parts 24 to have their outer edges adjacent the sloping portion I5 of the member I I. As illustrated in the drawings the guides 26 bear down againstthe upper surface of the curl I9. The engagement of the guides 25 with thecurl I9 serves to prevent rattling of the member I2 and undesirable upward shifting and tilting of the member I2 with respect to the member II.-

The guides 26 are yieldable to allow the sealing part I3 to conform to the surface 22 in cases where the lower edge of the door D, the sill III are not parallel or horizontal. The engagement of the sealing part It with the surface 22 in such cases may cause the member I2 to shift upwardly at one end or the other with respect to the member II and the guides 26 yield to permit such automatic adjustment of the member I2. The guides 26 serve to maintain the hinge curl I3 in cooperation with the stationary hinge curl IS.

The cam element of the means I4 is attached to a stationary part of the building structure and is engaged by the member I2 as the door D closes to cause the member I2 to swing down so that its sealing part I3 seals with the surface 22. In most installations the cam element is attached to the frame F, for example, it may be secured to the stop S. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated the cam element comprises a mounting flange 27 attached to the stop S. The flange 21 may flatly bear against the surface of the stop S and may have horizontal slots 28 for re ceiving attaching screws 29. The cam flange 21 is secured to the stop S adjacent the sill I8 and is positioned to cooperate with or to be engaged by the end portion of the member I2 which is at the free or outer edge of the door D. A cam rib or part 30 projects laterally from the flange 21 and presents a cam surface 3| which opposes the face of the door D The cam face 3| slopes downwardly and outwardly at substantially the same angle as the angle assumed by the member I2 when the latter is fully actuated. The sealing element or part I3 terminates some distance from the end of the roll 2| leaving an end part of the roll exposed for cooperation with the cam face 3|. The cam is located and constructed so that the roll 2| engages the upper part of the face 3| as the door D approaches its closed position. As the door D continues to close'the engagement of the roll 2| with the cam face 3| causes the member I2 to swing downwardly and inwardly bring-' ing the sealing part I3 into sealing engagement with the surface 22. The slots 23 allow the cam to be readily adjusted to provide the correct engagement of the roll 2| with the cam face 3|. When the end of the member I2 has a flange 8, the flange seals with the cam face H to provide a seal at the end of the member I2. This is shown in Fig. 5. In the event the flange 8 is omitted the faceof the member I2 directly seals with the cam face 3|. In both instances the cam part 30 forms an overlapping sealing element for the end of the member I2.

It is believed that the operation of the me chanical or automatic weather strip provided by this invention will be readily understood from the foregoing detailed description. With the parts installed as described the weather strip is conditioned to provide a tight effective seal which prevents wind, rain, water, snow, etc. from blowing through the clearance space C. With the door D in the closed position the roll 2| bears against the cam face 3| to maintain the sealing part I3 in full firm sealing contact with the surface 22. The sealing part thus prevents the leakage or seepage of wind, water, etc. along the surface 22. The members II and I2 slope downwardly and outwardly to effectively shed or divert the wind, rain and snow and an effective seal is provided at each end of the member I2. When the door D is opened the member I2 of course moves away from the cam face 3| and the springs 23 automatically raise the member 52 to its retracted position. It will be observed that this retraction of the member I2 starts with the initial opening movement of the door D so that the sealing part I 3 is not dragged or scraped across the sill Ill. The sealing part I3 is sub- J'ected to little or no wear. With the member [2 in the raised or retracted position the weather strip does not interfere with free movement of the door D and cannot engage irregularities of the floor or sill l6, rugs or the like. When the door D is closed the roll 2| contacts the cam face 3! just before the door reaches its closed position and the sealing part [3 is again automatically brought into engagement with the surface 22 to provide an effective mechanical seal. The parts of the weather strip are readily mounted and adjusted to assure the correct operation.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A weather strip for sealing between a movable closure and a surface of a building structure comprising a supporting member to be secured to the closure to project from a face there of, a curl on the member, a sealing member, a curl on the sealing member engaged with the first named curl to support the sealing member for swinging movement between a raised position and a sealing position in sealing engagement with said surface, a cam attachable to the building structure to be engaged by the sealing member to swing the same to said sealing position when the closure is moved to the closed position, and a single spring attachable to the closure for swinging the sealing member to the retracted position when the closure is opened and acting on the curl of the member to resist bodily shifting of the member.

2. A weather strip for sealing between a movable closure and a surface of a building structure comprising a supporting member to be secured to the closure to project from a face thereof, a curl on the member, a sealing member, a curl on the sealing member engaged with the first named curl to support the sealing member for swinging movement between a raised posi- .tion and a sealing position in sealing engagement with said surface, said curls being loose- 1y engaged to allow bodily tilting of said sealing able closure and a surface of a building structure comprising a supporting member to be secured to the closure to project from a face thereof, a curl on the member, a sealing member, a curl on the sealing member loosely engaged with the first named curl to support the sealing member for swinging movement between a raised position and a sealing position in sealing engagement with said surface and to support the sealing member for bodily tilting so that it may conform to said surface, a cam attachable to the building structure to be engaged by the sealing member to swing the same to said sealing position when the closure is moved to the closed position, and springs attachable to the closure for acting on the sealing member to yieldingly urge the same to the retracted position and en-' gaging the curl of the sealing member to yieldingly resist bodily tilting of the member and to urge the member into even sealing engagement with said surface.

4. A weather strip for sealing between a movable closure and a surface of a building structure comprising a supporting strip attachable t0 the closure to extend from the face thereof, an inturned curl on the lower edge of the supporting strip, a sealing strip member, an out-turned curl on the upper edge of the member loosely engaged with the first named curl to suspend the member for swinging movement and for bodily tilting, a sealing part on the lower edge of the member for sealing with said surface, a cam attachable to the building structure for swinging the member down to cause the sealing part to seal with said surface when the closure is moved to the closed position, spring means acting downwardly on each end portion of the second named curl to yieldingly resist bodily tilting of the member and to cause even engagement of the sealing part with said surface, and means for swinging the member upwardly when the closure is opened.

5. A weather strip for sealing between a movable closure and a surface of a building structure comprising a sealing strip member, means for supporting the member on the closure for swinging movement between a retracted position and a sealing position where it seals with said surface, said means comprising a strip element attachable to the closure, and nested hinge curls on the member and element, the outermost curl of said nested curls having an inturned edge part, a yielding sealing core in the innermost curl of said nested curls engaging with said edge part to seal between the curls, a cam attachable to the building structure to be engaged by said member to swing said member to its sealing position when the closure is moved to the closed position, and spring means for swinging said member to its retracted position when the closure is opened.

JOHN S. BENSON. 

